CHERRY TWP — The senior-laden Moniteau softball team is swinging for a district title and a piece of program history.

Strong underclassman contributors suggest the future can be just as bright.

The Warriors (16-4) — one victory shy of the school’s single-season win record — are seeded second in the District 9 Class AA playoffs and will host No. 3 Curwensville (14-4) in a semifinal clash on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Moniteau travels to Punxsutawney on Tuesday for a postseason tuneup.

Senior shortstop Chloe Eshenbaugh, who leads the team with a .536 batting average, is confident the Warriors can make her final season a memorable one.

“I have a lot of faith in our team,” said Eshenbaugh. “We’ve all played with each other for so many years. We know each other so well. It helps us get through things. When someone gets down, we know how to bring them back up.”

Eshenbaugh is one of eight seniors on the squad, but the emergence of a sophomore played a pivotal role in helping the Warriors earn a home playoff game.

Sydney Boben, another senior, was expected to help carry the pitching load but an injury early in the season forced her out of the lineup.

Taylor Hasychak stepped in and stepped up.

“We had plans on her throwing, but not as much as she has,” said Moniteau coach Dan Beebe of Hasychak. “She’s come a long way from her freshman to sophomore year. She’s not blessed with a whole lot of power, but she has great control and keeps us in the game.”

Hasychak — a winner of 14 games with a 4.07 ERA — admitted she didn’t expect to pitch so many innings coming into the season.

“It’s a lot of pressure, but my team is very supportive so it’s not too bad,” said Hasychak. “That’s one of the best things about our team. We’re really close to each other. It definitely helps a lot.”

Beebe has been impressed with his young hurler, comparing her arsenal to her predecessor and former Moniteau ace Holly Colosimo.

“Taylor has been like another Holly,” said Beebe. “She’s been a huge bonus for us with the graduation of Holly and Sydney getting hurt.”

Hasychak’s lone season with Colosimo helped her make the transition to a reliable sophomore starter.

“I definitely learned from her because we are basically the same (type of) pitcher — not overpowering,” Hasychak explained, “but she hit her spots and that’s what made her successful.”

Freshman Alyssa Dailey, another impactful underclassman, is taking a similar approach during her limited time on the field with Eshenbaugh.

“That’s one of the girls I look up to,” said Dailey of the senior.

A similar skill set has produced similar numbers for the duo.

Dailey is hitting .434 in her freshman campaign — not quite on pace with Eshenbaugh’s robust .536 — but they share the team lead with four doubles and two triples. Each have driven home 24 runs.

“Traditionally, Chloe has been our leadoff hitter. She sets the table for us,” said Beebe. “She has a high on-base percentage and seems to always put the ball in play. Over the years, she’s been a leader.

“(Dailey) has been a nice addition to our team — like another Chloe,” Beebe added. “As a freshman, she brings a lot of leadership. Playing with older players didn’t intimidate her and the girls listen to her.”

Moniteau’s camaraderie has been a key to the Warriors’ winning ways.

As a freshman, Dailey wasn’t sure what to expect as the season approached.

“I thought we’d do pretty well, but I didn’t think we’d come as far as we have,” she said. “We all have fun. We’re all ourselves around each other.”

Hasychak is thankful the seniors are there if she hits a rough patch during a game.

“They’ll just come out and calm me down and make me laugh,” Hasychak explained. “I’m really close to all of them. It definitely helps because if I do something wrong, they tell me in a way that helps me out. They don’t get angry because I’m an underclassman making mistakes.”

Beebe, who has led the Warriors to a 46-15 record since taking over the program in 2011, applauded his seniors.

“They’ve been a huge part of this team,” he said. “The seniors were there when we won D-9 two years ago. They’ve been there and now they’re getting ready to pass the torch on to the younger ones.”

With so much experience, Moniteau’s .750 winning percentage is no surprise to Eshenbaugh.

Fellow senior Nicole Buterbaugh is hitting .457, while Boben, Heather McMillen and Emily Hiwiller are all .370 or better. Hiwiller boasts a team-high five homers.

“Half of our team is seniors. I thought we were going to be good and we are,” Eshenbaugh explained. “We’re all really close. Playing with them has been a blast. It’s going to be sad when it ends.”